Benue LG workers begin warning strike over unpaid salaries
Local government workers in Benue State on Thursday commenced a two-week warning strike over unpaid salaries, stalled promotions and unresolved pension remittances, crippling activities across the 23 local government councils in the state. The industrial action followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum and an additional seven working days’ reminder earlier issued to the administration […]
Local government workers in Benue State on Thursday commenced a two-week warning strike over unpaid salaries, stalled promotions and unresolved pension remittances, crippling activities across the 23 local government councils in the state.
The industrial action followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum and an additional seven working days’ reminder earlier issued to the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia by the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).
In a strike notice dated May 13, 2026, and signed by the State President, Joshua Adah Adiniya, and State Secretary, Comrade Aseneshi Musa Yusuf, the union accused the state government of failing to address lingering welfare issues affecting local government employees.
The statement, titled “Notification of Strike Action,” noted that the union had exhausted all avenues for dialogue before resorting to industrial action.
“Unfortunately, the Benue State Government has remained adamant and ignored all the opportunities offered by the union to resolve these disputes and avert the consequences,” the union stated.
The workers are demanding immediate payment of outstanding March and April 2026 salaries, implementation of pending promotions, resolution of issues surrounding BEPCON remittances, reinstatement of disengaged 2011/2012 local government workers, and payment of accumulated salary arrears owed to staff.
NULGE said its State Executive Council had, during a meeting on April 21, 2026, resolved to press for urgent government action, but lamented that no meaningful response was received.
“The union has been pushed to the wall and is left with no option,” the statement added, directing all local government workers to commence a two-week stay-at-home warning strike effective Thursday, May 14, 2026.
The union further instructed members across the 23 local government areas to ensure full compliance with the directive, describing the action as “a total lockdown of the third tier of government in Benue State until further directive.”
Meanwhile, copies of the notice were forwarded to local government chairmen, divisional police officers, heads of the Department of State Services in the councils, and the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress.